RECOVERED DRUG MONEY TO BOLSTER SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

The Canadian County Sheriff's Department is remodeling and expanding its
offices with $900,000 received from a drug bust two years ago.

Sheriff Lewis Hawkins said he also has been able to buy 19 used patrol
cars, allowing for the fleet to be replaced with cars with lower mileage.
Hawkins said without the money, he would have only been able to replace
about six to eight cars this year.

"That is the most money I have ever seen in one pile in my life," he said.
"I will never forget it."

In August 2001, a county deputy stopped a van on a routine traffic stop
that yielded $1,284,313 in drug-related cash. The county's portion was
$900,000, with federal authorities getting the remaining funds. Hawkins
said he got the funds three months ago, and is eager to put the money to use.

Hawkins intends to buy an additional six cars, maybe within the next few
months. He also said the money can be spent on equipment for the cars and
other capital improvement projects.

The money allowed the department to expand its offices into the former
election board next door, almost doubling the size of the area.

The money may only be appropriated and spent out of a separate account on
general operations needs of the department, Hawkins said. The federal
government also places high accountability on the money, requiring the
county to provide annual expenditure reports.

Hawkins said the money cannot be used for his operating budget.

Last week, the county commissioners gave Hawkins approval to buy nine
slightly used patrol cars from the Missouri Highway Patrol, at about
$12,000 each. The cars will replace some of the 40 patrol cars that have
between 132,000 and 186,000 miles on them.

Some of the old cars will go to the county assessor's office to be used by
field appraisers, while others will be auctioned.